The Path to the Perfect Companion: Why Training Matters
If you're lucky enough to share your life with one of these charming, bat-eared clowns, you already know: they steal your heart instantly. With their adaptable and playful nature, they wrap everyone around their little paw. But this is exactly where the trap lies. French Bulldog training is a topic often underestimated by new owners. Because they are small, compact, and incredibly cute, we tend to let them get away with things we would correct immediately in a large dog.
However, a French Bulldog (often affectionately called a "Bully" or "Frenchie") is a real dog with needs, a sharp mind, and—as you will quickly realize—a significant stubborn streak. A well-behaved Bully is a fantastic, easygoing companion in everyday life. An untrained Bully, on the other hand, can quickly become an ignorant leash-puller or a tyrannical couch dictator. In this comprehensive guide, based on my experience as a dog trainer, I will show you how to raise your Frenchie with love, patience, and the right tactics to be a reliable partner.
French Bulldog Training: The Bully as a Student
Before we dive deep into the practical side of training, we need to understand who we are dealing with. The French Bulldog belongs to the group of companion and toy dogs. Originally from France, they were bred for exactly this purpose: to be close to humans. They are extremely people-oriented and build a deep emotional bond with their family.
When looking at the breed's trainability, they often score a 2 out of 5. This by no means implies these dogs are unintelligent—on the contrary! They are exceptionally clever. They simply weigh whether cooperation is worth their while at that moment. The French Bulldog breed profile often describes them as stubborn. As a trainer, I prefer to call it "selective willingness to cooperate." A Bully always asks: "What's in it for me?"
Your key to success in French Bulldog training lies in motivation. Harshness, loud scolding, or physical pressure will cause this sensitive breed to shut down immediately. The dog will become stubborn or react with fear. Positive reinforcement, high-quality treats, favorite toys, and your genuine enthusiasm are the tools you must work with. You can also find more about breed-specific behavior and standards at the Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH).
French Bulldog Puppy Training: The First 16 Weeks
The most important phase in your dog's life is the first few months. French Bulldog puppy training sets the foundation for the rest of your dog's life, which can last 10 to 12 years with good health. As soon as the little guy moves in, training begins—gentle, but consistent.
Housebreaking: Patience is a Virtue
Bullys aren't always the fastest when it comes to potty training. Their bladders are small, and sometimes they find the wet, cold grass outside simply uncomfortable. Here is how you proceed:
- Rhythm: Take your puppy outside after every nap, after eating, after playing, and generally every two hours.
- Fixed Spot: Always take them to the same spot. The familiar scent encourages them to do their business.
- Success Party: When they go outside, praise them enthusiastically and give them a treat. Make it a little party!
- No Scolding for Accidents: If a mishap happens indoors, wipe it up without comment. If you catch them in the act, pick them up calmly (this usually interrupts the flow) and carry them outside.
Teaching Bite Inhibition
Like all puppies, Frenchies explore the world with their mouths. Their small, sharp puppy teeth can be painful during play. It is your job to teach them bite inhibition. If they bite too hard during play, emit a short, high-pitched "Ouch!" and stop the game for a few seconds. Then offer an alternative, such as a chew rope. They quickly learn: human skin is off-limits, toys are allowed.
Socialization: Discovering the World
French Bulldogs have a city-suitability rating of 5/5 and a dog compatibility rating of 4/5. To keep it that way, the puppy must get to know the world. During the first 16 weeks (the sensitive phase), show them everything that will be part of their daily life: cars, bicycles, the vacuum cleaner, children's voices, and different surfaces. Be careful not to overwhelm them. A 15-minute walk through a busy street is more exhausting for a puppy's brain than an hour of romping around.
Basic Obedience: Essential French Bulldog Commands
Functioning basic obedience gives your dog security and gives you the peace of mind that you can control your dog in any situation. Good French Bulldog training focuses on essential signals first. Build these French Bulldog commands step by step.
1. Sit and Down
These two commands are the basics of impulse control. Since Bullys are very food-motivated, the "luring" technique works excellently here. Lead a treat close over your dog's nose slightly back over their head. To follow the treat with their eyes, their bottom will almost automatically lower to the ground. As soon as their bottom touches the floor, say "Sit" and release the treat. For "Down," lead the treat from the "Sit" position straight down between their front paws and slowly pull it towards you along the floor. When they lie down, the command "Down" and the reward follow.
2. Stay (Impulse Control)
Bullys are playful and busy. A solid "Stay" can be life-saving in everyday situations (e.g., at the front door or when getting out of the car). Start by putting your dog in a "Sit." Say "Stay," take just one tiny step back, and immediately go back to them. Reward them if they stayed put. Increase the distance and duration over many weeks only in tiny increments.
3. The Reliable Recall
The most important command of all. The recall must be associated with positive things. Never call your Frenchie to you to punish them or do something unpleasant (like cleaning ears). Use an absolute "super-treat" for the recall (e.g., a piece of cheese or cooked chicken) that is given only for this command. Make yourself interesting! Squat down, call their name joyfully, and the command "Come." When they arrive, celebrate them as if they just won a Nobel Prize.
Breed-Specific Challenges in French Bulldog Training
Every breed brings its own set of characteristics. Knowing these allows you to tailor your training and avoid frustration on both sides.
Physical Limits and Heat Sensitivity
A Bully's grooming needs are extremely low (1/5), and their energy level is in a good middle range (3/5). However, French Bulldogs are brachycephalic dogs (dogs with a shortened skull and short snout). This can unfortunately lead to breathing problems. For your training, this means:
- No training in the midday heat: Schedule walks and learning sessions in the summer for early morning or late evening. Frenchies overheat extremely quickly.
- Watch their breathing: If your dog is panting heavily, wheezing, or their tongue becomes dark red to bluish, you must stop training immediately and let them rest in a cool place.
- The right equipment: Never train a Bully on a collar. Pulling on the sensitive throat worsens breathing problems. Always use a well-fitting Y-harness.
Further important information on the health of short-headed breeds can be found on the information pages of the Bundestierärztekammer.
Separation Anxiety: Practicing Being Alone
As mentioned earlier, these dogs bond extremely closely with their owners. This makes them wonderful family dogs (family friendliness 5/5), but it also means being alone is often incredibly difficult for them. An unprepared Bully suffers silently or, in the worst case, redecorates your apartment out of frustration and stress.
Start separation training when the dog is relaxed and tired. Leave the room initially for only a few seconds. Close the door and come right back in before the dog starts to whine or scratch. Don't make a big drama out of leaving and coming back. It should become the most normal thing in the world. Gradually increase the times from seconds to minutes, and only later to hours.
Advanced Training: Clever Activities for Smart Minds
Because your Bully shouldn't be doing hour-long jogging sessions next to a bike, you need to find other ways to keep them busy. Physical moderation does not mean the dog doesn't need stimulation. Mental work often makes dogs much more tired and satisfied than purely physical exercise.
Trickdogging and Target Training
French Bulldogs love being the center of attention and making their humans laugh. Teach them tricks! Whether it's "Roll over," "Give paw," "Sit up," or "High five"—working on tricks together strengthens your bond enormously. Target training (where the dog learns to touch a specific object, like your palm, with their nose or paw) is a fantastic way to challenge the dog mentally.
Nose Work: Scent Games for the Bully
Nose work is the most natural and breed-appropriate form of activity. Scatter a handful of dry food widely in the grass or hide treats in a snuffle mat. Object searches (e.g., hiding a favorite ball in the living room) also require high concentration. The advantage: this type of activity doesn't drive the pulse up and is extremely gentle on the cardiovascular system of your short-nosed companion.
Common Training Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Even the best dog owners sometimes fall into traps. With the French Bulldog, it's usually the following mistakes that sabotage training success:
- Inconsistency: A Bully's soulful, almost human gaze is hard to ignore. But if they are allowed to beg at the dinner table today because it's Sunday, they won't understand on Monday why they're suddenly sent away. From a dog's perspective, you are unpredictable. Set clear rules and stick to them 365 days a year.
- Poor Timing: Dogs only associate a reward or a correction with the action they are performing at that exact second (the window is about 1-2 seconds). If you reward too late, you might be praising them for turning away instead of the "Sit."
- Confusing Stubbornness with Overwhelm: If your Bully refuses to perform a command they actually know, don't scold them immediately. Consider: Is it too warm for them? is the distraction (other dogs, loud streets) still too high for their current training level? Take a step back and make it easier for them.
- "Humanizing" the Dog: Yes, they like to sleep under the covers and sometimes look like little goblins. But they are predators and dogs. They need clear structures, dog-appropriate communication, and leadership to feel secure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are French Bulldogs hard to train?
No, they are not fundamentally hard to train, but they require a specific approach. Due to their intelligence and a certain independence, they like to question commands. However, with positive reinforcement, consistency, and good treats, they can be trained excellently. Physical force does not work at all with this breed.
How long does it take for a Frenchie puppy to be housebroken?
This varies from dog to dog. While some puppies understand the concept after 2-3 weeks, other French Bulldogs take up to 6 months to be absolutely reliably housebroken. The most important thing is not to take setbacks personally and to take the puppy outside consistently after every sleep, meal, and play session.
What equipment do I need for Bully training?
The most important piece of gear is a well-fitting, softly padded Y-harness. Due to their anatomy and susceptibility to breathing problems, French Bulldogs should never be trained on a collar that puts pressure on the throat. You also need a light, adjustable lead (not a retractable Flexi-lead for training) and a bag with high-quality reward treats.
Can you train a French Bulldog to stop barking?
French Bulldogs are not typically excessive barkers (unlike some terrier breeds). If they bark, there is usually a reason: excitement, frustration, or territorial behavior. You train them out of it not by shouting along (which the dog interprets as barking together), but by radiating calm, managing the situation, and rewarding desired, quiet behavior.
Conclusion: Consistency and Love for the Perfect Companion
French Bulldog training is a wonderful journey. These dogs bring so much humor, love, and joy into our daily lives that every minute of training pays off many times over. Always remember that your training must be fair, step-by-step, and adapted to the physical characteristics of this wonderful breed. A well-socialized and trained Bully will happily accompany you anywhere—be it to your favorite café, on a family vacation, or simply onto the home couch.
The first step to a happy dog life begins long before they move in: by choosing a reputable and responsible breeder who prioritizes health and clear breathing (the price range for healthy puppies is realistically between 2000–3500 EUR). At HonestDog, you will find verified and trustworthy breeders who hand over their puppies with a clear conscience, plenty of love, and excellent early socialization. Start your dog adventure on the right foundation and find your dream Bully at HonestDog!